Ennis Haywood
| No. 46 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Running back |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 5, 1979 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Died: | May 13, 2003 (aged 23) Arlington, Texas, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight: | 224 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Dallas Carter (Dallas, Texas) |
| College: | Iowa State |
| Undrafted: | 2002 |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Ennis Haywood (December 5, 1979 – May 11, 2003) was a National Football League running back for the Dallas Cowboys.
Early years
Haywood attended Dallas Carter High School. As a senior, he had to overcome an injury to collect 800 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and 85 tackles on defense. He received third-team All-area honors.
He received honor roll recognition during all of his four years with a 3.50 GPA.
College career
Haywood accepted a football scholarship from Iowa State University. As a true freshman, he was the backup running back behind Darren Davis. He had 30 carries for 178 yards (5.9-yard avg.) and 2 touchdowns.
As a sophomore, he remained the backup running back behind Davis, collecting 55 carries for 278 yards (5.1-yard avg.) and 3 touchdowns.
As a junior, he was named the starter at running back after Davis graduated, sharing the backfield with future NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels. He registered 229 carries for 1,237 yards (led the Big 12 Conference), a 5.4-yard average, 8 touchdowns and 25 receptions for 211 yards.
As a senior, he shared the backfield with future NFL quarterback Seneca Wallace. He registered 258 carries for 1,169 yards, a 4.5-yard average, 14 touchdowns and 20 receptions for 138 yards. He led the Big 12 Conference in rushing and was ranked 10th nationally with a 123.7 rushing yards-per-game average, became the seventh Iowa State running back to reach 1,000 yards in at least 2 seasons, while contributing to the school having back to back bowl appearances.[1] including an Insight.com Bowl victory over Pittsburgh.
He finished his college career with 2,862 yards (fifth in school history), 27 rushing touchdowns (sixth in school history), 3,468 all-purpose yards (fourth in school history) and a 5.0 yards per carry average (second in school history). Iowa State had a 12-0 record when Haywood rushed for 100 yards.
Professional career
Haywood was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2001 NFL Draft. He led the team in rushing during the pre-season with 31 carries for 120 yards. He was waived on September 1.[2] He was signed to the practice squad on September 3.[3]
In May 2003, he participated in the Cowboys' three-day minicamp and was competing for a roster spot.[4]
Death
Haywood was rushed to the hospital on May 10, 2003, after he began vomiting in his sleep and ceased breathing.[5] On May 11, he was taken off life support at his family's request. It was later found that a mixture of prescription medications (for Haywood's asthma) and alcohol played a part in his death.[6][7]
Personal life
Haywood was married with two children.
References
- ^ "Iowa State's Ennis Haywood to Play in Three All-Star Games". November 28, 2001.
- ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. September 2, 2002.
- ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. September 3, 2002.
- ^ "Cowboys running back Ennis Haywood dies". UPI. May 11, 2003.
- ^ Caldwell, Dave (May 13, 2003). "PRO FOOTBALL; Cause of Death Unknown for Cowboys' Haywood". The New York Times.
- ^ "Haywood cause of death due to drugs and alcohol, asthma contributed".
- ^ "PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; Death of Cowboy Is Ruled an Accident". The New York Times. August 2, 2003.
